Real reform needed on health insurance

The state controlled health insurer, VHI, was nearly €42 million in the red at the end of last year. It had lost 120,000 customers, most likely through a combination of policy non-renewals from the downturn and increased competition.

The upshot of all this for customers of the health insurer is that they face further hikes in their premiums of around 6 per cent to 7 per cent.